Flacco exploited an aggressive 49ers secondary on Sunday, fooled them and caught them flat-footed. He took advantage of a San Francisco pass rush that didn’t show up until later in the game.

Flacco went to the locker room at halftime having completed 13 of his 20 passes for 192 yards, which included touchdown passes of 13, 1 and 56 yards.

You could say in his second half was more indicative of his career. Good enough. Fortunate to be surrounded by good players. More than a manager, less than elite.

But save for a three-series span following the 30-minute delay due to a power outage, during which a 22-point Baltimore lead was sliced to five points, Flacco often made plays when needed, some of them throws only an elite quarterback can make – like a back shoulder third-down toss to Anquan Boldin.

But it just doesn't matter if he’s considered elite.

"I have never cared," Flacco said. "I have never wanted to feel in a position to defend myself. But we'll have his thing forever."